If you live in or near the City of Atlanta and/or in one of its diverse, numerous communities, you have every reason to be proud of the great social work done in our town daily. The Dunwoody Community Garden is one really big reason why. Tucked away in Brook Run Park in Dunwoody is a small paradise with a huge mission.

This garden provides space for 92 numbered garden plots for folks to garden to their heart’s content; provides excellent nutrition to the homeless through a partnership with Malachi’s Storehouse at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church and works with Boy Scouts, faith-based organizations, and community/business organizations to promote a focus on health/wellness, stress reduction, eco-literacy and social justice.

Approximately 20% of this garden’s produce is donated to a food pantry in association with the Atlanta Food Bank. The garden partners with the City of Dunwoody Parks Department and is a member of the American Community Gardening Association.

Literally, I stumbled upon the garden as I was driving to visit my mother one day. I was astounded that it had been here since 2009 and I was just now discovering it; how beautifully kept it was, how assiduously people were gardening on the weekend, and how friendly everyone was. I spoke with Teresa Hennessee, Vice-Chairman for the Garden. She graciously showed me around and introduced me to a few of the members: including Art Simon, the Garden’s Chairman. Though they had been gardening all morning, they were all happy to stop to talk to me and share their experiences here. Teresa commented that she loves looking at the level of innovation and artistry in each plot: how individual gardeners arrange trellises, or combine different plans/vegetables.

Everywhere I looked I saw the fruit of much hard work by many: neat rows of cauliflower, lavender, rosemary, salvia, fruit trees, and a stunning show of roses. Theresa told me that at 9:00 am each Wednesday, 7 or 8 volunteers come to harvest vegetables and bring them over to St. Patrick’s Malachi’s Warehouse. Every other week, folks are allowed to come over (without having to apply through a State agency for food) and take the nutritious food. Teresa introduced me to another gardener, Chrissy, who hails from Erie, Michigan, and learned the art from her parents, who learned it from their parents, who were farmers. The level of expertise here is amazing! Below, take a look at some of the beauty I found here:

Sign up for your very own plot and get your hands dirty to your heart’s content and meet other wonderful people who are doing the same thing. Visit http://dcgo.org for more information if you are interested. This entire enterprise is well-kept by individual volunteers, members, and a volunteer Board of DIrectors. The Dunwoody Community Gardens organization also organizes educational and social events.

Who knew such a gem existed! I am so excited that I found out about it, as I never properly learned gardening from my green-thumb Grandfather Jim. Perhaps, even for people like me, there is salvation and redemption to be found in the hush of this beautiful place. Don’t take my word for it; go check it out for yourself-and be very, very proud.

For more information on Malachi’s Storehouse, please visit the below link: